Men have shared heartbreaking stories about failing to meet the masculine expectations that existed during their childhood using the hashtag #FailingMasculinity.
The trend began in the United States and has reached well over one million users since the initial tweet on April 18.
Other users were quick to open up with their own memories about times they “failed masculinity”, with reactions varying from stories about being forced to play sport against their will, to adults ensuring that boys didn’t show feminine emotions.
It is largely accepted that LGBTIQ youth are much less likely to suffer from compromised mental and physical health problems with support from their immediate family. Conversely, a lack of acceptance can have the adverse effect, and these tweets show the lasting impact that such an absence can have on a person’s psyche.
There has been a growing movement towards acceptance, with the emergence of educational LGBTIQ webseries for kids and the continuing growth of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, but unfortunately it appears that there is still a way to go before complete equality and an end to intolerance.
